Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the region and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
