The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
