The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
