Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
