Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Will Return to Arms Once More' should US Invades.

Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.

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

Rising Tensions and Allegations

Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to America."

While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the business.

A Frayed Partnership

The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.

Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.

Colombia's Defiant Response

In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to Statesman

Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.

"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Heightened Measures and Broad Rejection

Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.

Bilateral and Economic Pressure

Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.

Concurrently the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.