President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
