President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
