Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Would Take Up Arms Again' should United States Launches an Attack.

The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

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

Rising Tensions coupled with Claims

Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the trade.

A Frayed Relationship

This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Strong Rebuttal

Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.

"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.

From Insurgent to President

He passed part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.

"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition

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

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Political and Financial Sanctions

The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several key allies.

At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.