The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
