Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa following he called on US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.