Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
