President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating the nation faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country was historically a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility 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 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
