The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
