President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
