Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
