Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar military action against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he encouraged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
