Colombia's Leader Says 'I Will Return to Arms Once More' should US Intervenes Militarily.

The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Rising Threats and Allegations

Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar use of force against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."

Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.

A Strained Partnership

The country was historically a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.

Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Defiant Response

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

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.

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

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, which many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to Leader

He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of 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 said.

Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Strains

Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various associates.

Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.