Colombia's President Declares 'I Will Return to Arms Again' should US Invades.
President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested similar use of force against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.