Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Would Return to Arms Once More' if American Forces Invades.

Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

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

Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations

Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."

Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Partnership

Colombia has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.

The President's Strong Answer

Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Statesman

The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.

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

Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.

Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have condemned the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Political and Economic Pressure

Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.

Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.