The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he called on US troops to disobey orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
