President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and various associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
