Colombian Leader Warns 'I Shall Return to Arms Again' if United States Invades.

President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Escalating Tensions and Allegations

Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."

While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.

A Deteriorating Relationship

This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.

The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Firm Answer

In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Leader

Petro spent some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.

"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he said.

Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.

Bilateral and Economic Pressure

American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.

At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.