The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured markedly since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Answer
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
