Colombian Leader Declares 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' if United States Intervenes Militarily.
Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.