President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
