President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa after he called on American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
