President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the president, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
