President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured markedly following Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
