The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
