Colombia's Leader Says 'I Will Take Up Arms Once More' should United States Launches an Attack.

The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units 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," the US president stated.

Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations

Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the business.

A Frayed Relationship

This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.

Colombia's Defiant Response

In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.

"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.

From Fighter to Leader

He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Political and Financial Strains

American authorities withdrew his travel authorization after he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.

Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.