Colombian Leader Warns 'I Shall Take Up Arms Once More' if United States Launches an Attack.
President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar use of force against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.