Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Will Take Up Arms Once More' if US Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

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

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."

Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the business.

A Frayed Alliance

Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Defiant Answer

When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to President

The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.

Increased Security along with Broad Rejection

The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Political and Economic Strains

The US revoked the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and various close collaborators.

At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.