Colombia's President Warns 'I Will Return to Arms Once More' if American Forces Invades.

President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Rising Threats and Allegations

Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."

Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Alliance

This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.

Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

The President's Defiant Answer

When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.

"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Pressure

Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.

At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.