The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
