Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
