Colombia's President Declares 'I Will Resort to Weapons Once More' should US Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Escalating Tensions and Claims

Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.

A Frayed Partnership

Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.

The President's Defiant Response

When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.

"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.

From Fighter to President

The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition

Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion against their nation.

Diplomatic and Financial Pressure

The US cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.

Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.