President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
