The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
