Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Answer
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
