Colombian President Declares 'I Shall Take Up Arms Once More' should American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.

Growing Threats and Allegations

Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."

Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the trade.

A Deteriorating Partnership

The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Strong Rebuttal

When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.

"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Statesman

Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.

"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition

Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Strains

The US revoked Petro’s visa after he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.

Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.