Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "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 last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
