The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
