The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
