President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened similar military action against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
