Colombian Leader Declares 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' should United States Invades.

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

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

Rising Threats and Claims

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."

While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the trade.

A Strained Relationship

Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.

Petro's Defiant Rebuttal

Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to Leader

Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.

"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.

Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Political and Financial Pressure

The US cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of associates.

At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.