Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Would Return to Arms Once More' if US Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.

Rising Threats and Allegations

Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."

While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the trade.

A Strained Partnership

Colombia for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Defiant Answer

Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to Statesman

The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.

"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition

The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions

The US withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several associates.

At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.