Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Response
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which many of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
