The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
The country was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
Concurrently the US was building up 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 near Colombia.
