President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly following Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he urged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
