Colombian President Declares 'I Would Return to Arms Once More' if US Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Growing Threats coupled with Accusations

Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."

Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.

A Frayed Relationship

Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.

Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.

Petro's Strong Answer

In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to Statesman

Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.

"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Political and Economic Sanctions

American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and various associates.

Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.