The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable military action towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
