President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous military action against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have denounced the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
