Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
