The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Response
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
