Colombian Leader Says 'I Will Take Up Arms Once More' if US Invades.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.

Growing Threats and Claims

Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to America."

While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the trade.

A Strained Relationship

Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Strong Rebuttal

When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.

"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to Leader

The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.

"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition

Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Pressure

Washington revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.

Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.