President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated markedly after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
