President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar military action towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.