Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Answer
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he encouraged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
