President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
