Colombian President Says 'I Shall Return to Arms Again' should US Launches an Attack.
The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous military action against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
