Colombian President Warns 'I Shall Return to Arms Once More' if American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Growing Rhetoric and Allegations

Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."

Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the business.

A Deteriorating Relationship

Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.

Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Strong Answer

In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.

"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.

From Fighter to Leader

The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.

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

Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition

Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.

Bilateral and Economic Sanctions

American authorities withdrew his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.

Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.