President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
