Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured markedly after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
