Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
