Colombian President Declares 'I Shall Return to Arms Again' if US Invades.

President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Growing Tensions and Accusations

Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."

Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.

A Frayed Alliance

Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.

The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.

The President's Strong Answer

Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Statesman

The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.

"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he said.

Increased Security and Broad Condemnation

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

Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.

Political and Financial Pressure

American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.

At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.