Colombian Leader Says 'I Will Return to Arms Again' if US Launches an Attack.

President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations

Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."

Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.

A Strained Relationship

Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Firm Rebuttal

In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.

"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted online.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to President

The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection

Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Pressure

Washington revoked his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.

Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.