Colombian Leader Says 'I Would Take Up Arms Once More' if American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations

Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."

While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.

A Strained Partnership

This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal

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

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.

"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to President

Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.

Heightened Measures and Broad Rejection

Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.

Political and Financial Strains

The US withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.