The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
