The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
The US cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
