Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Would Return to Arms Once More' should United States Intervenes Militarily.

The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.

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

Rising Threats and Accusations

Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."

While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Alliance

Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.

Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.

Colombia's Strong Rebuttal

Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.

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

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.

From Fighter to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.

"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Political and Financial Sanctions

American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.

Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.