Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Shall Take Up Arms Once More' if US Intervenes Militarily.
The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.