Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
