The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
The country has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated markedly following Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Answer
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he encouraged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady 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, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
