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

The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Growing Tensions and Claims

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Partnership

Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.

The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Firm Response

When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to President

He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.

"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Sanctions

American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.

Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.