Colombian Leader Says 'I Would Return to Arms Once More' if US Launches an Attack.

President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations

Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."

While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the business.

A Deteriorating Relationship

Colombia has long been a close partner of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.

The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Firm Answer

In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Leader

He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.

Increased Security along with Broad Rejection

Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.

Bilateral and Financial Pressure

The US withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several key allies.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.