Colombian President Says 'I Shall Return to Arms Again' should American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

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

Rising Threats coupled with Accusations

Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to America."

Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the trade.

A Strained Relationship

The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.

Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.

Petro's Firm Response

When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.

"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Leader

Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.

Increased Security along with Broad Rejection

The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.

Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.

Political and Financial Strains

The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.