Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
