Colombian Leader Says 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Again' should United States Launches an Attack.

The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Growing Tensions and Allegations

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the business.

A Strained Alliance

The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.

The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.

The President's Strong Rebuttal

When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain me, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Leader

The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.

"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.

Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition

The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.

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

Bilateral and Financial Strains

Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.

Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.