Colombia's President Declares 'I Would Take Up Arms Once More' should US Invades.
Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.