Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
