Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar military action against Colombia, stating the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
