The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president suggested similar military action against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain me, which many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
