Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar military action against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.