The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
