Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
