Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
