Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
