Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Would Take Up Arms Again' should United States Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Rising Threats coupled with Claims

Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the US."

Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the illicit industry.

A Frayed Relationship

Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Defiant Answer

In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Leader

He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.

"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection

The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.

Bilateral and Economic Strains

Washington revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.

Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.