Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia has long been a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.