The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Response
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
