Colombian President Declares 'I Would Return to Arms Once More' if United States Intervenes Militarily.

The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Escalating Threats coupled with Claims

Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."

Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.

A Frayed Partnership

The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.

The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.

Colombia's Defiant Answer

In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.

"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Statesman

The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.

"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.

Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.

Bilateral and Financial Sanctions

Washington revoked his travel authorization following he urged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.

Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.