Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
