Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
