Colombia's Leader Says 'I Would Resort to Weapons Again' if US Intervenes Militarily.

The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Growing Tensions and Claims

Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."

Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the business.

A Frayed Relationship

Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.

The President's Firm Answer

When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.

"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to Statesman

Petro spent a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.

"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.

Increased Security and Broad Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Strains

The US withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.

Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.