The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from across the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.