Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
