Colombian President Declares 'I Will Return to Arms Again' should United States Launches an Attack.
President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly since Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
