President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country for decades served as a key ally of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Response
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, which many of the population admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
