The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
