The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous use of force against Colombia, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various associates.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
