Colombia's Leader Says 'I Will Return to Arms Again' should American Forces Invades.
The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable military action against Bogotá, claiming the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.