President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Response
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
