Colombia's President Declares 'I Will Resort to Weapons Once More' if American Forces Launches an Attack.
The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.