Colombia's President Says 'I Will Return to Arms Again' should United States Invades.
Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by a sick man involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
