Colombia's President Warns 'I Shall Return to Arms Once More' should American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Escalating Threats and Accusations

Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested similar military action against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."

Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.

A Deteriorating Relationship

The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.

The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.

Colombia's Strong Answer

When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.

"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to Statesman

The president dedicated part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.

Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition

The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Strains

Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.

Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.