President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite 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 nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
