President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
