The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Response
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
