Colombia's President Declares 'I Will Resort to Weapons Again' if US Intervenes Militarily.

The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.

Escalating Rhetoric and Claims

Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."

While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Alliance

Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly following Trump came to office.

The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Strong Answer

When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.

"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.

From Fighter to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.

"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.

Political and Financial Pressure

American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.

At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.