Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Would Return to Arms Again' if American Forces Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Growing Rhetoric and Accusations

Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."

Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.

A Frayed Relationship

This nation was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.

Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.

The President's Strong Answer

In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Leader

The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.

"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Pressure

The US revoked the president's entry visa following he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and various associates.

Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.