Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, which many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
