The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
