The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
