President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Response
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
The US withdrew the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
