Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Would Take Up Arms Once More' if US Launches an Attack.
President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous military action against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
