Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
