Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
