Colombia's Leader Says 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' if US Intervenes Militarily.
Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.