Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Answer
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and various associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
