The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest me, which many of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
