Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar military action against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
