Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested similar military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
