President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
