Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
