Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Will Resort to Weapons Once More' should United States Intervenes Militarily.

The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."

Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the trade.

A Deteriorating Partnership

Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.

Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.

Petro's Firm Answer

In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.

From Fighter to Statesman

Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.

"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.

Political and Financial Strains

American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various associates.

At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.