President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, which many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various associates.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
