Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
