Colombia's President Warns 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' should US Launches an Attack.

President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.

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

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations

Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."

Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the business.

A Frayed Partnership

This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.

Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Firm Answer

When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.

"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the people," he admonished.

From Insurgent to President

Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.

"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.

Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Political and Economic Pressure

Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.

At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.