Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
The country was historically a key ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Response
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
