The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
