President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which many of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization after he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
