The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
