The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
