The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
