Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation was historically a key ally of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
