President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated markedly after Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
