Colombia's President fires back at Trump after hints of possible US operation
Photo: Donald Trump and Gustavo Petro (Collage by RBC-Ukraine)
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has stated that he is prepared to take up arms again to defend his country. This was his response to US President Donald Trump's hints about possible military action following the operation in Venezuela.
In his statement, the Colombian leader stresses that as commander-in-chief, he acts exclusively within the Constitution and has already issued a series of tough orders in the fight against drug trafficking.
"I have ordered the largest cocaine seizure in world history, stopped the growth of coca leaf cultivation, and initiated a large-scale voluntary crop substitution program for coca farmers. This process covers 30,000 hectares of coca, and it is my priority as a state policy on crop substitution; I am in charge of this policy," he says.
Petro also says that, on his orders, the authorities had taken control of one of the key centers of the drug trade.
He expresses confidence that the Colombian people would defend the president and warns that the arrest of the national leader could unleash the people's jaguar.
The head of state recalls that in his youth, he was a member of a radical left-wing organization, although he vowed not to use weapons after the 1989 peace agreement.
"Although I was not a soldier, I know about war and covert operations. I swore never to touch another weapon after the 1989 peace agreement, but for the sake of my country, I will take up arms again, weapons that I no longer want," he says.
Petro also rejects any allegations of illegal activity or corruption.
"I am not illegal, and I am not a drug dealer. My only asset is my family home, which I still pay for with my salary. My bank statements have been made public. No one could say that I spent more than my salary. I am not greedy," the politician says.
In addition, the Colombian President announces the dismissal of several colonels from the police intelligence service for passing on false information to the detriment of the state.
Background
Donald Trump told reporters that Colombia is ruled by a "sick man" who, according to him, is involved in the production and supply of cocaine to the United States. He added that "he’s not going to be doing it very long."
Commenting on a possible US operation in Colombia, Trump said, "sounds good to me" without actually ruling out the possibility of military action.
