Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
