Colombia's President Declares 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' if United States Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Rising Tensions and Accusations

Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."

Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the trade.

A Strained Relationship

The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened markedly following Trump was elected.

The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.

Petro's Firm Response

Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to President

He passed some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.

"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.

Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.

Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.

Diplomatic and Financial Strains

The US revoked Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and several associates.

Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.