Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
