Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Response
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
