Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested similar military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain me, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
