President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
