The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
