Colombian Leader Says 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Once More' if US Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Rising Threats coupled with Allegations

Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the trade.

A Deteriorating Partnership

The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump was elected.

The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Strong Answer

Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.

"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.

From Fighter to Leader

The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning president.

"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.

Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Sanctions

The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.

At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.