Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, which many of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US withdrew his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
