Colombian President Declares 'I Would Return to Arms Once More' if US Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Rising Tensions coupled with Claims

Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Relationship

This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.

The President's Firm Response

Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to Leader

The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.

"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.

Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection

The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions

The US withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.