Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he called on US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
