Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
