The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
