President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar military action against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
