President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Answer
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain me, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
