Colombian Leader Says 'I Will Return to Arms Once More' if US Invades.

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Growing Tensions coupled with Claims

Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the business.

A Deteriorating Relationship

Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.

Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.

Colombia's Firm Rebuttal

In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.

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

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Statesman

The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he vowed.

Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection

The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.

Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.

Diplomatic and Economic Pressure

The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.