Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Would Resort to Weapons Again' should American Forces Invades.

The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Growing Rhetoric and Allegations

Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."

While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the illicit industry.

A Strained Relationship

Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.

The President's Firm Answer

When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Statesman

Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.

"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he vowed.

Increased Security and Broad Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.

Bilateral and Economic Sanctions

The US revoked Petro’s visa following he encouraged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several associates.

Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.