President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
