The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
The country was historically a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Response
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
