The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the region and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
