Colombian President Warns 'I Will Resort to Weapons Once More' should US Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Growing Rhetoric and Allegations

Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."

Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the trade.

A Frayed Relationship

Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump was elected.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Firm Response

When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture me, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to President

He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.

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

Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Political and Economic Strains

American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.

Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.