The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
