Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
