Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar use of force against Colombia, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized 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 said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from across the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
