Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and various associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
