President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
