Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain me, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa following he urged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
