President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Response
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
