President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable military action against Colombia, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
The US cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
