Colombia's President Warns 'I Shall Return to Arms Again' if United States Invades.

President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

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

Rising Rhetoric and Claims

Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."

Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.

A Strained Partnership

The country has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly after Trump was elected.

The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.

The President's Firm Answer

Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which many of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.

From Insurgent to President

The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.

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

Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection

Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.

Political and Economic Pressure

American authorities cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.

At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.