Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and led by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
This nation was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
