Colombia's President Says 'I Shall Take Up Arms Again' should United States Launches an Attack.

The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Rising Threats coupled with Allegations

Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."

Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the trade.

A Strained Partnership

Colombia has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.

Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Strong Rebuttal

In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."

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.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to Statesman

He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.

Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition

Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions

American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.

At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.