Colombia's President Warns 'I Shall Return to Arms Once More' should American Forces Launches an Attack.

The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Growing Threats and Allegations

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.

A Frayed Partnership

The country was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured significantly following Trump was elected.

The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Strong Rebuttal

Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.

"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.

"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation

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

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.

Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions

Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of associates.

Simultaneously the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.