Colombia's Leader Says 'I Would Take Up Arms Again' should United States Intervenes Militarily.

The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

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

Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims

Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar military action against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the United States."

Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.

A Deteriorating Partnership

The country was historically a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump came to office.

Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.

Colombia's Firm Answer

In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

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

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to President

He passed a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning president.

"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's personal security had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Sanctions

American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several associates.

Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.