The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
