The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
