The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
