Colombian Leader Declares 'I Would Take Up Arms Again' if United States Intervenes Militarily.
Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.