Colombian Leader Says 'I Will Take Up Arms Again' if US Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

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

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims

Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and selling it to America."

While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.

Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.

Petro's Strong Response

In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.

"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to Leader

He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.

"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition

Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action against their nation.

Political and Economic Strains

Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.

Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.