Colombia's President Says 'I Shall Take Up Arms Once More' should American Forces Intervenes Militarily.
The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.