Colombia's President Warns 'I Shall Take Up Arms Again' if United States Invades.

President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Growing Threats and Allegations

Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president suggested similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the United States."

Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured markedly following Trump was elected.

Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Firm Answer

Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Leader

He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.

"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.

Increased Security and Widespread Rejection

The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.

Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions

The US revoked his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.