Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable military action against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa following he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
