President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
