Colombian Leader Warns 'I Would Take Up Arms Again' should United States Launches an Attack.

The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Growing Rhetoric and Claims

Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."

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

A Frayed Relationship

The country has long been a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.

Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.

The President's Firm Rebuttal

Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.

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

"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to Statesman

He passed some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.

"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions

American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.

Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.