Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
