Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' should US Invades.
The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable military action against Bogotá, stating the nation faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.