Colombian President Says 'I Shall Return to Arms Once More' if American Forces Invades.
President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolรกs Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous use of force against Colombia, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the worldโs largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a key ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the โjaguarโ of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombiaโs conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuelaโs Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
