Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Would Return to Arms Again' if United States Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations

Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened similar military action against Colombia, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."

Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.

A Deteriorating Partnership

Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Defiant Answer

In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.

"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to President

He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.

"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Sanctions

The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.

Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.