President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable military action against Colombia, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
