The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, which many of the country loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
