Colombian President Says 'I Shall Take Up Arms Again' should US Invades.
President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.