The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture me, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
