Colombian President Warns 'I Will Take Up Arms Again' if US Invades.
President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.