The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Response
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
