Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US cancelled his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
