Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several associates.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
