Colombia's President Warns 'I Would Take Up Arms Once More' should US Intervenes Militarily.
President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested similar use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.