The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization after he encouraged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
