The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain me, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
