Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
