Colombian President Says 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' if US Intervenes Militarily.
The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country was historically a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
The US cancelled his travel authorization after he urged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.