Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, which many of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa following he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
