Colombian Leader Declares 'I Would Return to Arms Again' if United States Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Growing Tensions and Claims

Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."

Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Partnership

Colombia for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.

Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Strong Answer

Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.

From Insurgent to Leader

The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.

"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection

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

Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.

Bilateral and Economic Sanctions

American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.