The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Response
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
