President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
