Colombian Leader Says 'I Shall Return to Arms Again' if United States Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Rising Tensions and Allegations

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."

While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the trade.

A Deteriorating Relationship

Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump came to office.

Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.

Petro's Firm Rebuttal

Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.

"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to President

He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he said.

Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Pressure

Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.

Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.