The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
