The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and several associates.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
