Colombian Leader Declares 'I Will Resort to Weapons Again' if US Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations

Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.

Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal

Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.

"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to Leader

He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.

"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition

Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s security detail had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Strains

American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several associates.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.