Colombian Leader Warns 'I Will Return to Arms Once More' if American Forces Invades.

The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Escalating Tensions and Allegations

Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."

Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Relationship

The country was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.

Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Strong Rebuttal

Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures and Broad Rejection

The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.

Political and Financial Pressure

American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.