Colombian Leader Declares 'I Will Return to Arms Again' if American Forces Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

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

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims

Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to America."

Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.

A Frayed Partnership

This nation was historically a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.

Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Defiant Answer

Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.

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

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.

From Fighter to Leader

The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.

Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition

The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Sanctions

The US withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.

Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.