Colombian President Declares 'I Will Take Up Arms Again' if United States Intervenes Militarily.
The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.