President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous military action against Colombia, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated markedly after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
