Colombia's President Warns 'I Will Take Up Arms Again' should American Forces Invades.

Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.

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

Rising Threats and Accusations

Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the nation faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."

While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the trade.

A Strained Relationship

This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated markedly following Trump was elected.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.

The President's Defiant Answer

In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.

"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Leader

The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.

"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.

Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition

The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Strains

American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.

Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.