The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
