Colombia's President Declares 'I Would Return to Arms Again' should United States Launches an Attack.

President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims

Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump suggested similar military action against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."

Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the trade.

A Frayed Relationship

The country has long been a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.

The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Defiant Response

In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.

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

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to President

He passed some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.

"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.

Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.

Political and Economic Sanctions

Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.

Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.