Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
