Colombian Leader Declares 'I Will Return to Arms Again' if American Forces Launches an Attack.

The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

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

Rising Rhetoric and Accusations

Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the business.

A Strained Alliance

This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Firm Response

Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.

From Fighter to President

The president dedicated part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.

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

Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition

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

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.

Bilateral and Financial Sanctions

American authorities revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several associates.

Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.