Colombian President Declares 'I Would Resort to Weapons Again' if United States Intervenes Militarily.
President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
