Colombian President Says 'I Shall Return to Arms Again' should American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims

Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the US."

Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.

A Deteriorating Partnership

This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.

Petro's Defiant Answer

Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to Leader

Petro spent a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.

"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Strains

American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.

Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.