Colombian President Warns 'I Will Take Up Arms Once More' if US Intervenes Militarily.

The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Growing Threats coupled with Claims

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."

Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the trade.

A Strained Relationship

The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Firm Response

Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.

From Insurgent to Statesman

He passed some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition

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

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Sanctions

Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.

Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.