Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Shall Take Up Arms Once More' should US Intervenes Militarily.

The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations

Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."

While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the trade.

A Deteriorating Relationship

Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured significantly since Trump was elected.

The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Firm Response

In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to Statesman

The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.

"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Sanctions

American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he encouraged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.

Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.