Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
