Colombia's President Warns 'I Will Resort to Weapons Once More' should United States Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.

Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations

Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the trade.

A Strained Alliance

Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have worsened markedly following Trump came to office.

Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Defiant Response

In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Leader

Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.

"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.

Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition

The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Pressure

American authorities revoked the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.

Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.