The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
