The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar use of force against Colombia, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa following he encouraged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
