President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous use of force against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
