Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
