Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Answer
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
