Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous military action against Bogotá, claiming the country faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and various associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
