Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the population loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa following he encouraged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
