The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
