The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable military action against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly since Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including 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 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
