Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Shall Return to Arms Once More' should US Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations

Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous military action against Colombia, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the business.

A Deteriorating Alliance

The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Firm Rebuttal

In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.

"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, which many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.

From Fighter to President

The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.

"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection

Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Strains

American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.

Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.