The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.