President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
