Colombia's Leader Says 'I Shall Return to Arms Again' should US Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.

Rising Threats and Allegations

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to America."

While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.

A Deteriorating Partnership

This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.

The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Firm Rebuttal

When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.

"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to Statesman

He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he vowed.

Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion against their nation.

Diplomatic and Economic Pressure

American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.

Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.