President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Response
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
