The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
