The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
