The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
