Colombian President Says 'I Will Take Up Arms Once More' should American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims

Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."

While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the business.

A Deteriorating Partnership

This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump was elected.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.

Colombia's Firm Response

Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.

From Insurgent to President

The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.

"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.

Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.

Political and Economic Pressure

The US cancelled his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.