Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous use of force against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
