Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable military action against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
