Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
