The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, asserting the nation faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
