Colombia's Leader Says 'I Would Return to Arms Again' should US Intervenes Militarily.
President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which many of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
The US cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.