The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly following Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Response
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
