Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
