The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested similar military action against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
