Colombian Leader Warns 'I Shall Return to Arms Once More' if US Intervenes Militarily.

The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims

Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."

Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Relationship

The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.

Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Firm Rebuttal

Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.

"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, which many of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to Statesman

He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Increased Security along with Broad Rejection

The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Strains

The US revoked his travel authorization after he urged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.

Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.