The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
