The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened similar military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa after he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
