President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he encouraged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several associates.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
