Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
