Colombian President Warns 'I Would Return to Arms Again' should United States Invades.

The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Rising Threats and Allegations

Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president threatened similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.

A Frayed Relationship

This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly after Trump was elected.

The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a landmark accord.

Colombia's Strong Answer

When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.

"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to Leader

He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.

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

Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have condemned the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Strains

Washington cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several close collaborators.

Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.