President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
