President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured significantly since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain me, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
