The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
