Colombian President Says 'I Shall Return to Arms Once More' if United States Invades.

President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Rising Threats coupled with Accusations

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to America."

Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.

A Strained Partnership

Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly following Trump came to office.

Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Firm Answer

When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.

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

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to Leader

He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.

"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he affirmed.

Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection

The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.

Bilateral and Financial Sanctions

Washington withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.

Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.