The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
