President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
