Colombian President Says 'I Would Resort to Weapons Again' if United States Launches an Attack.
Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several associates.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.