Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
