Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
