The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country 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 deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
