President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
