Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Answer
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
