The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
