Colombian Leader Declares 'I Would Take Up Arms Again' if United States Launches an Attack.

The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Rising Threats and Claims

Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."

Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the illicit industry.

A Strained Relationship

This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

The President's Firm Rebuttal

Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Leader

He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.

"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.

Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Pressure

Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.

Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.