The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and various key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
