President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming 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 shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
