Colombian President Declares 'I Would Return to Arms Once More' if American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Growing Threats and Accusations

Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.

A Deteriorating Relationship

This nation for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.

Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Strong Rebuttal

In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.

"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to President

He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.

Increased Security and Broad Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.

Diplomatic and Economic Pressure

The US revoked the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.

Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.