Colombian President Says 'I Will Return to Arms Once More' if United States Invades.
President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and several associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.