President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
