President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
