The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Response
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
