President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
