Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened similar use of force against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
