President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices from across the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
