Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Will Return to Arms Again' should United States Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Escalating Threats coupled with Claims

Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous use of force against Colombia, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."

Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.

A Strained Alliance

The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.

Petro's Firm Answer

When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.

"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to President

He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.

"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.

Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.

Political and Economic Strains

The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.

At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.