Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
