Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he called on US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and a number of associates.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
