Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Will Return to Arms Once More' should American Forces Invades.

President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

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

Rising Rhetoric and Claims

Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the illicit industry.

A Strained Alliance

Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.

Petro's Strong Rebuttal

When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to Leader

The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.

"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition

Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Sanctions

The US withdrew his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and various associates.

At the same time as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.