Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Again' should US Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims

Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."

Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the trade.

A Strained Alliance

The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump came to office.

The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Defiant Answer

Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.

From Fighter to Leader

He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.

"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.

Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion on Colombia.

Political and Financial Sanctions

The US revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.