Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Would Return to Arms Again' if American Forces Invades.

The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Growing Threats coupled with Accusations

Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, stating the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the US."

Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Strong Rebuttal

Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.

"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.

From Insurgent to Statesman

He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.

"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection

The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action on Colombia.

Political and Economic Pressure

The US revoked his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.

Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.