Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
