Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
