Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Will Return to Arms Once More' if United States Launches an Attack.

President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."

While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the illicit industry.

A Strained Relationship

The country has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.

The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Firm Response

When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.

"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Statesman

Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.

"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation

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

Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Political and Economic Sanctions

Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.

At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.