Colombian Leader Declares 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Once More' if United States Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations

Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug 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 trade.

A Strained Partnership

Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.

Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a landmark accord.

Colombia's Firm Answer

When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.

"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to President

The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.

"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.

Increased Security along with Broad Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Pressure

The US withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and various key allies.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.