The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested similar military action against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Response
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
