The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
