Colombia's President Says 'I Would Return to Arms Again' should United States Invades.

President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Growing Threats and Allegations

Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.

A Frayed Relationship

This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Strong Rebuttal

Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.

"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to Leader

Petro spent a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.

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

Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.

Diplomatic and Economic Strains

The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.