Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
