Colombian Leader Declares 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' if US Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations

Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the United States."

Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.

Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Strong Response

Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.

"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to President

The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.

"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Strains

Washington withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.

Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.