The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous military action against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Answer
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
