President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
