Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
