Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar military action against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
