Colombia's President Says 'I Shall Take Up Arms Once More' if United States Invades.

President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Rising Rhetoric and Allegations

Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the trade.

A Strained Relationship

Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.

Petro's Defiant Rebuttal

When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.

"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to President

He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing 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 eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.

"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection

Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Pressure

The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and various associates.

Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.