The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
