Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he encouraged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
