Colombian Leader Warns 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Once More' if American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous military action against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."

Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the business.

A Frayed Partnership

Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.

Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Strong Response

Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

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

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to President

The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.

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

Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection

The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Political and Economic Sanctions

The US revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several associates.

Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.