President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Response
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging 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 drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
