Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
