President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Answer
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
