Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
