The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital 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 weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
