Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar use of force against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
