Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Answer
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
