Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Would Take Up Arms Once More' should United States Intervenes Militarily.
President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested similar military action towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation'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 demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.