The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.