Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
