Colombia's President Declares 'I Shall Return to Arms Once More' if United States Intervenes Militarily.
Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested similar use of force against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked his travel authorization following he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
