Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
