Colombia's President Declares 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' should US Invades.

The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Rising Rhetoric and Accusations

Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."

While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.

A Strained Alliance

The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.

Petro's Firm Rebuttal

Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.

"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.

From Insurgent to President

The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.

"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.

Increased Security and Broad Rejection

Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.

Political and Economic Strains

American authorities revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and various key allies.

At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.