Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Response
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
