The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
