The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a key ally of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.