Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, stating the nation faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
