Colombian President Warns 'I Would Return to Arms Again' if US Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

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

Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations

Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the United States."

Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the business.

A Strained Relationship

This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.

The President's Strong Answer

When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.

From Fighter to Leader

The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.

"I swore not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.

Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack against their nation.

Diplomatic and Economic Pressure

American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various associates.

Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.