Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Shall Return to Arms Again' if US Launches an Attack.

President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations

Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to America."

Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the trade.

A Frayed Partnership

Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump came to office.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Strong Answer

When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Statesman

He passed part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.

"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection

The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.

Bilateral and Economic Sanctions

The US cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.

At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.