President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa following he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
