Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
