Colombia's President Warns 'I Will Take Up Arms Once More' should United States Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Growing Tensions and Claims

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."

Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Strong Rebuttal

Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Statesman

He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.

"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.

Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition

The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.

Political and Financial Strains

Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.