Colombia's President Says 'I Would Take Up Arms Again' should US Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.

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

Growing Tensions and Allegations

Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to America."

Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the trade.

A Frayed Relationship

Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.

Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.

Petro's Strong Answer

In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

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

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.

Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Strains

American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.