The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
