Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Shall Return to Arms Once More' should US Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Escalating Tensions and Accusations

Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."

While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.

A Deteriorating Alliance

This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly since 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 Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.

The President's Defiant Response

When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.

From Insurgent to Leader

He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.

"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he said.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection

The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Political and Financial Pressure

Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various associates.

At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.