The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain me, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
