Colombian Leader Warns 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' if American Forces Launches an Attack.

The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Growing Threats coupled with Allegations

Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar military action towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."

Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the business.

A Frayed Relationship

This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Defiant Rebuttal

Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Statesman

He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.

"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection

Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions

The US revoked Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several associates.

At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.