Colombia's President Declares 'I Will Return to Arms Again' if United States Launches an Attack.

The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Escalating Threats and Allegations

Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."

Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.

A Frayed Relationship

This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have soured dramatically since Trump came to office.

The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Strong Rebuttal

When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.

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

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.

From Fighter to President

He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.

"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Sanctions

The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.

Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.