Colombian President Says 'I Will Take Up Arms Once More' should American Forces Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.

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

Escalating Threats and Accusations

Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."

While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the business.

A Deteriorating Alliance

The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.

The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Firm Answer

When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain me, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to President

The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Political and Financial Sanctions

The US revoked the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several key allies.

Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.