Colombian President Says 'I Will Resort to Weapons Again' should US Intervenes Militarily.

The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.

Rising Threats coupled with Allegations

Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."

Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the illicit industry.

A Strained Relationship

The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump came to office.

The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.

The President's Defiant Rebuttal

Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.

"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to Statesman

He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.

"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection

The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack against their nation.

Bilateral and Financial Strains

The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several key allies.

Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.