Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he encouraged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
