President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as 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 trade.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
