Colombia's President Warns 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Once More' if American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.

Growing Tensions coupled with Claims

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."

While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the illicit industry.

A Strained Alliance

This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured dramatically since Trump came to office.

Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.

The President's Defiant Answer

In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to Leader

He passed a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.

"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Strains

American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.

At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.