Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US revoked his travel authorization following he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
