President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
