Colombian Leader Says 'I Shall Return to Arms Once More' if American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

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

Rising Tensions coupled with Claims

Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."

While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.

A Strained Alliance

The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.

Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Defiant Response

Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.

"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to Statesman

The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action on Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Pressure

Washington revoked his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and various key allies.

Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.