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

The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Rising Tensions and Accusations

Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the US."

While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.

A Deteriorating Partnership

This nation for decades served as a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump was elected.

Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Defiant Response

In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.

"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Statesman

He passed part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.

"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.

Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.

Political and Economic Strains

American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.