President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
