President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
