The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Answer
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
