The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated markedly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Answer
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
