Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
