Colombian Leader Says 'I Will Return to Arms Again' should American Forces Launches an Attack.

President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Growing Tensions and Allegations

Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the United States."

Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the trade.

A Frayed Relationship

Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.

Colombia's Firm Response

In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Leader

The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.

"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection

The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.

Political and Economic Pressure

American authorities revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several associates.

At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.