President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, which many of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
