Colombia's President Warns 'I Would Return to Arms Again' should US Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Rising Rhetoric and Allegations

Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."

Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated markedly after Trump was elected.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Defiant Response

Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.

"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.

From Insurgent to Statesman

The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.

"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection

Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Strains

The US withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.

Simultaneously as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.