Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
