The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, which many of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
