Colombia's President Says 'I Will Return to Arms Once More' if American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.

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

Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations

Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."

Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.

A Strained Alliance

The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.

The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Defiant Rebuttal

In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.

"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain me, whom a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Statesman

The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.

"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.

Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition

The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.

Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.

Political and Financial Strains

Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and various associates.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.