Colombia's President Warns 'I Would Return to Arms Again' if American Forces Launches an Attack.

President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations

Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened similar military action against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."

While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the business.

A Frayed Partnership

The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Strong Response

When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.

"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to Statesman

The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.

"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection

Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action on Colombia.

Political and Economic Pressure

American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.