The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested similar military action against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
