Colombia's President Warns 'I Will Return to Arms Once More' should United States Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Escalating Tensions and Accusations

Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."

While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Firm Response

When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to Statesman

Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.

"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.

Increased Security along with Broad Rejection

The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Political and Economic Pressure

Washington withdrew the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.

Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.