Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly since Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
