Colombia's Leader Says 'I Will Take Up Arms Again' should American Forces Intervenes Militarily.
President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened similar use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.