Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable military action against Colombia, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
