The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Response
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
