Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and various key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
