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

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Growing Threats coupled with Allegations

Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."

While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.

A Frayed Relationship

This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Firm Response

Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to Leader

Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.

"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he said.

Increased Security and Broad Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s security detail had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.

Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions

American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.

Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.