The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Answer
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
