Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Shall Return to Arms Once More' if United States Invades.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

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

Rising Threats coupled with Claims

Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous use of force against Colombia, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.

A Deteriorating Relationship

The country was historically a key ally of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Defiant Response

Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.

From Fighter to Statesman

Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.

"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he vowed.

Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's security detail had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack against their nation.

Diplomatic and Economic Pressure

The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.