President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
