Colombia's President Says 'I Shall Return to Arms Again' if American Forces Intervenes Militarily.
The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.