President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
