President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured markedly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
