The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.