Colombian President Says 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Once More' if American Forces Launches an Attack.

President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."

While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the illicit industry.

A Strained Alliance

The country was historically a close partner of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.

The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Strong Answer

When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to President

The president dedicated part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.

Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition

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

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions

Washington withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of associates.

Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.