The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
