Colombian President Warns 'I Shall Take Up Arms Again' if American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Rising Tensions coupled with Claims

Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."

Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the business.

A Strained Relationship

The country was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.

Colombia's Firm Answer

Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, which many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to President

The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.

"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.

Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection

Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion on Colombia.

Political and Financial Sanctions

American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and various associates.

At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.