The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
