President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
