President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
