Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured markedly since Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
