Colombian President Declares 'I Would Return to Arms Once More' if US Launches an Attack.

The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Growing Tensions coupled with Claims

Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."

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

A Deteriorating Relationship

The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.

Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal

In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest me, which many of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Statesman

He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.

"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he said.

Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection

Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.

Political and Economic Sanctions

Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and various key allies.

At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.