The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
