President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
