President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar military action against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
