The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
