Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
