The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened similar military action against Colombia, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Answer
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain me, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he encouraged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, the first lady and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
