Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
