Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, stating Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups 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 replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa following he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
