Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
