Colombian Leader Says 'I Would Take Up Arms Again' should US Intervenes Militarily.
President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which many of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.