The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
