Colombia's President Declares 'I Shall Return to Arms Once More' should United States Launches an Attack.
President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Response
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.