Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Response
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
