Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar military action against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
