Colombian President Warns 'I Will Return to Arms Once More' if American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Growing Rhetoric and Claims

Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."

While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.

A Deteriorating Relationship

The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a historic peace agreement.

The President's Defiant Rebuttal

When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.

"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to Leader

He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.

Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Strains

The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several associates.

Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.