Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Will Resort to Weapons Again' should United States Invades.
Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.