The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
