Colombian Leader Warns 'I Would Return to Arms Again' should US Invades.

President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims

Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the US."

While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the business.

A Deteriorating Relationship

Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

The President's Defiant Answer

Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.

"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.

From Fighter to Leader

He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.

Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition

Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail was strengthened.

Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.

Political and Financial Strains

The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.

At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.