President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
