President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and various associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
