Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Answer
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
