Colombia's President Warns 'I Shall Take Up Arms Again' if American Forces Intervenes Militarily.
Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from across Colombian politics have condemned the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
