Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
