President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have condemned the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his spouse and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
