Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
