Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
