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

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations

Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."

Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the trade.

A Frayed Partnership

This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.

Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised following a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Firm Answer

In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.

"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.

From Insurgent to Leader

Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he vowed.

Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Pressure

American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.

At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.