The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
