The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Answer
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he called on US troops to ignore orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
