President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Answer
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.