The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous armed intervention against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
