President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, 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 decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
