President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated markedly following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Response
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington revoked his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
