The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Answer
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
