The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
At the same time 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 maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
