Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.