The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
