Colombian President Says 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' should United States Launches an Attack.

The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims

Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to America."

Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the trade.

A Deteriorating Alliance

The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.

Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Firm Response

In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.

"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Statesman

He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.

"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.

Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's protection team had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.

Political and Financial Strains

American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.