Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Once More' should American Forces Launches an Attack.

The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."

Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the trade.

A Deteriorating Alliance

Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly after Trump was elected.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Firm Response

Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.

"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed online.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Statesman

He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he affirmed.

Increased Security along with Broad Rejection

Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.

Bilateral and Economic Pressure

Washington revoked his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.

At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.