Colombian President Warns 'I Will Resort to Weapons Again' should American Forces Intervenes Militarily.
Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Answer
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain me, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.