Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Would Return to Arms Once More' should American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Rising Threats coupled with Accusations

Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump suggested similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the trade.

A Frayed Partnership

Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.

Petro's Defiant Answer

In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Leader

Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.

"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.

Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Political and Financial Strains

The US withdrew his travel authorization following he encouraged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.