Colombian Leader Says 'I Would Take Up Arms Again' if US Invades.
The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated markedly after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.