Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous military action towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Strained Partnership
The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
