Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable military action against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
