The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
