Colombian President Says 'I Would Resort to Weapons Again' if United States Intervenes Militarily.
Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar military action against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain me, which many of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he encouraged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.