Colombian Leader Declares 'I Will Take Up Arms Again' should American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Rising Threats and Allegations

Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."

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 illicit industry.

A Frayed Alliance

Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Firm Answer

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

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.

"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to President

He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.

"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.

Political and Financial Sanctions

The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.

Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.