Colombian Leader Warns 'I Will Take Up Arms Again' should US Intervenes Militarily.

The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Growing Rhetoric and Accusations

Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the illicit industry.

A Strained Relationship

Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Defiant Answer

When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.

"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to President

Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.

"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.

Increased Security along with Broad Rejection

Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.

Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.

Bilateral and Economic Sanctions

Washington withdrew his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.

Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.