President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
