The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable military action against Colombia, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, but relations have deteriorated markedly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa following he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
