President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
