The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
