Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military 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 disarmed in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
