President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
