The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
