The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable military action against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly following Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.