The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
