Colombia's Leader Says 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Once More' if US Invades.

The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Growing Threats coupled with Accusations

Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to America."

While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the business.

A Deteriorating Alliance

Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.

The President's Strong Rebuttal

In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.

"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to Statesman

He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.

Increased Security and Widespread Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.

Bilateral and Economic Pressure

Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.