Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened similar armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
