Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
