Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture me, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
