President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
