President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
