Colombia's President Says 'I Would Take Up Arms Again' if US Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

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

Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations

Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and selling it to America."

While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the business.

A Deteriorating Relationship

The country has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.

The President's Strong Answer

Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.

"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Statesman

He passed a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.

"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection

Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Political and Economic Sanctions

The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several associates.

At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.