President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across the ideological divide have rejected the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
