Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he encouraged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
