Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Shall Return to Arms Once More' should American Forces Launches an Attack.

President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.

Growing Threats and Claims

Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested similar military action against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and selling it to the US."

Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Partnership

This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly following Trump came to office.

Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.

The President's Firm Rebuttal

In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.

"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Leader

He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he said.

Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Sanctions

American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.

At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.