Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Shall Take Up Arms Again' if US Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations

Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to the US."

Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the trade.

A Frayed Partnership

The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.

The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.

Petro's Defiant Response

Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which many of the country loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.

From Insurgent to Leader

The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.

"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.

Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Political and Economic Strains

The US revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.