President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
