Colombian Leader Says 'I Will Take Up Arms Once More' should American Forces Launches an Attack.

The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Rising Rhetoric and Accusations

Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the US."

Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the illicit industry.

A Frayed Partnership

This nation for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly following Trump was elected.

The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Defiant Response

Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.

"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.

From Insurgent to Statesman

Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing 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 pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.

Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Political and Economic Strains

American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.

Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.