Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous military action against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
