The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
