Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
