Colombian Leader Declares 'I Will Return to Arms Once More' if US Invades.
President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which many of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have condemned the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
