Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have soured dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
