Colombia's Leader Says 'I Will Return to Arms Again' if US Launches an Attack.

The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.

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

Growing Threats and Claims

Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable military action against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."

Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the business.

A Frayed Relationship

Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.

Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.

The President's Defiant Answer

Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.

"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Statesman

The president dedicated part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.

"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.

Increased Security and Broad Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.

Diplomatic and Financial Strains

Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.

At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.