Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
