Colombian President Declares 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' if US Invades.

Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.

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

Growing Tensions coupled with Claims

Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."

Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the business.

A Frayed Alliance

The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Defiant Rebuttal

Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.

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

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the people," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to Leader

Petro spent some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.

"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition

The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.

Political and Financial Pressure

Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.

Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.