The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened similar military action against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from across the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
The US cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
