Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
