The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
