The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country has long been a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
