Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
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 demobilised following a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
