Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he encouraged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and various associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
