Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.