The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Response
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which many of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
