President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
