The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
