President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
