Colombia's President Declares 'I Shall Take Up Arms Once More' if United States Launches an Attack.

President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Rising Threats coupled with Accusations

Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous military action against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the United States."

Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the trade.

A Frayed Partnership

The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Firm Answer

In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.

"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Statesman

He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.

"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions

American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.

Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.