Colombian President Warns 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Once More' if American Forces Launches an Attack.

The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Growing Rhetoric and Claims

Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."

Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the business.

A Frayed Alliance

This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Firm Answer

Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.

"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.

Increased Security and Broad Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.

Political and Financial Pressure

American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.

At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.