Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
