President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
