Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
