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

President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.

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

Escalating Rhetoric and Claims

Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."

Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.

A Strained Alliance

Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured dramatically since Trump came to office.

Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.

The President's Strong Rebuttal

When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to Statesman

The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.

Political and Financial Pressure

The US withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.