Colombian President Says 'I Shall Take Up Arms Again' should American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Rising Tensions and Claims

Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the US."

Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the trade.

A Strained Relationship

The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.

Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Strong Rebuttal

When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.

From Insurgent to Leader

Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.

"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions

American authorities revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.

At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.