Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, the first lady and various key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
