Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
