Colombia's President Warns 'I Would Return to Arms Once More' if American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Rising Tensions and Allegations

Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the United States."

Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Partnership

This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Defiant Answer

Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.

"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Statesman

He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.

Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.

Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions

American authorities revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.

Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.