Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Strained Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
