Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated markedly following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Answer
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from across the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.