Colombia's President Declares 'I Shall Return to Arms Again' should United States Invades.

Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Escalating Threats and Accusations

Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous use of force against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."

Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

Colombia for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.

The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Firm Response

When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.

From Fighter to Leader

Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.

"I swore not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.

Increased Security and Broad Rejection

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

Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions

The US revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.