Colombian Leader Declares 'I Would Take Up Arms Again' if American Forces Invades.

Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.

Growing Threats and Allegations

Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."

Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the trade.

A Frayed Partnership

This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including 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 subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Defiant Answer

Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Leader

The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.

"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection

Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Pressure

The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.

At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.