President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and several associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
