Colombian Leader Says 'I Shall Return to Arms Again' should US Launches an Attack.
Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.