Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened similar military action against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
