Colombia's President Warns 'I Will Return to Arms Once More' if US Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Rising Tensions and Claims

Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."

While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.

A Frayed Relationship

The country was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Firm Rebuttal

Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to Leader

Petro spent a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection

The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.

Political and Economic Strains

The US withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several associates.

At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.