Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
