Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.