Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly following Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Response
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader'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 condemned the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
