Colombian President Warns 'I Would Resort to Weapons Again' should US Launches an Attack.

President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Growing Rhetoric and Claims

Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to America."

While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly after Trump was elected.

Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.

Petro's Firm Answer

Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.

"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Statesman

The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.

"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.

Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Pressure

The US cancelled his travel authorization after he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.

Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.