The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable military action against Colombia, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
