President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
