The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although 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 Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
