The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
