President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
