Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous military action against Colombia, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if armed 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 no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
