Colombian Leader Says 'I Shall Return to Arms Once More' should United States Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Escalating Rhetoric and Claims

Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to America."

Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.

A Strained Partnership

Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have worsened markedly following Trump came to office.

The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.

Colombia's Firm Rebuttal

In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.

"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Statesman

He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.

"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection

Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Pressure

The US withdrew the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.

Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.