Colombia's President Says 'I Would Return to Arms Again' should US Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.

Growing Rhetoric and Claims

Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened similar military action against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to America."

Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the business.

A Frayed Alliance

Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.

The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Strong Rebuttal

When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.

"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to President

Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Strains

Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.

At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.