Colombia's President Warns 'I Shall Return to Arms Once More' if US Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Growing Threats coupled with Claims

Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the business.

A Deteriorating Relationship

The country has long been a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly following Trump came to office.

Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Defiant Answer

In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.

From Fighter to President

He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.

"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition

The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.

Bilateral and Economic Pressure

The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.

At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.