Colombia's President Warns 'I Would Return to Arms Again' should US Launches an Attack.

The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Growing Threats coupled with Allegations

Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."

Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.

A Strained Partnership

This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly since Trump came to office.

The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Defiant Response

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

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.

"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to President

The president dedicated part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning president.

"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.

Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection

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

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.

Bilateral and Financial Pressure

Washington cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various close collaborators.

At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.