President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
