Colombia's President Says 'I Will Take Up Arms Again' should United States Invades.

The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Growing Threats coupled with Claims

Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."

While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the trade.

A Deteriorating Alliance

The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump came to office.

Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Defiant Response

When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to Leader

He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.

Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions

Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.

Concurrently the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.