Colombia's Leader Says 'I Would Take Up Arms Again' if United States Invades.
President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Response
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.