The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and various key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
