Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
