Colombian President Warns 'I Will Resort to Weapons Once More' if US Launches an Attack.

President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

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

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims

Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."

Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the illicit industry.

A Frayed Alliance

This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.

The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Defiant Answer

When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to President

He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.

"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.

Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions

American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.

At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.