Colombia's President Declares 'I Would Return to Arms Once More' should US Invades.

President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Escalating Tensions and Claims

Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.

A Strained Relationship

This nation was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured significantly following Trump was elected.

The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.

Petro's Firm Response

When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.

"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Statesman

Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.

"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.

Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition

The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.

Political and Economic Strains

American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.

Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.