Colombian Leader Declares 'I Would Take Up Arms Again' if US Intervenes Militarily.
The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the president, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.