Colombian President Declares 'I Would Return to Arms Once More' if United States Invades.

President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Rising Threats coupled with Claims

Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."

Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.

A Strained Alliance

Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Firm Rebuttal

In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Statesman

He passed some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.

"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.

Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection

The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.

Political and Economic Pressure

Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.