The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Response
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several associates.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
