President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable military action against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
