The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.