President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested similar military action against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
