Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
