President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
