President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
