The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
