Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US revoked his travel authorization after he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and various associates.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
