Colombia's Leader Says 'I Would Return to Arms Once More' if US Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations

Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the illicit industry.

A Frayed Alliance

The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.

Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.

Petro's Firm Response

Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.

"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to President

Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.

"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.

Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection

Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of American military action on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Pressure

American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.

Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.